Kings Island Building $22 Million Diamondback Roller Coaster For '09

Article written by:Eric Gieszl, Editor

Kings Island, OH -- Kings Island will pump venom known as adrenaline into thrill-seekers next summer with the addition of a $22 million hypercoaster named Diamondback. This exciting addition new roller coaster will debut at Kings Island in April 2009.

The $22-million Diamondback megacoaster willl debut at Kings Island near Cincinnati in April 2009.Enlarge Image

Marketed as the tallest, fastest and meanest roller coaster at Kings Island, Diamondback will stand 230-feet at its highest point and subject riders to a 215-foot first drop at a steep 74-degree angle. Speeding down that first drop the roller coaster will reach an impressive top speed of 80 miles per hour.

In total, Diamondback will feature 10 drops, ranging in height from 215 feet down to 106 feet. The 5,282-foot long ride will also include two helixes − one at 323 degrees and the other at 287 degrees − and conclude with a splashdown into a man-made pond. The entire ride will last about three minutes.

"This ride is big − real big − intense and aggressive," said Greg Scheid, Kings Island's vice president and general manager. "Not only are the statistics of the ride awesome, but its use of the rugged natural terrain and spectacular splashdown ending ensures that no other roller coaster tops these thrills."

Diamondback will also introduce US roller coaster fans to a uniquely styled, open-air, stadium-style seating. The four seats in each of the train's eight cars will allow riders to experience an unobstructed view of all the thrills and excitement this roller coaster will offer.

According to Kings Island, this will be the first roller coaster in the United States to use this style of train.

Already under construction, Diamondback will be located in the western themed Rivertown area of Kings Island. The roller coaster will pass through natural hilly wooded terrain, that is an appropriate setting for the rattlesnake theme.

"The western diamondback is the king of all rattlesnakes with a fearsome reputation," Scheid said. "They're big, mean, aggressive and terrifying. The name Diamondback accurately conveys the image of the characteristics of the coaster as it resembles that of a coiled snake ready to strike."

Diamondback is a product of world-renowned coaster designers Bolliger & Mabillard of Monthey, Switzerland. Founded in 1998 by Walter Bolliger and Claude Mabillard, the company is considered the foremost leader in the design of steel roller coasters.

In fact, 20 of the top 50 steel roller coaster in Amusement Today's Golden Ticket Awards were designed by Bolliger & Mabillard.

According to Kings Island, Diamondback will be the biggest investment in the park's 36-year history. This $22 million addition will become the park's 15th roller coaster.

Construction of the roller coaster has begun and because of the location, park visitors will be able to get a peak of the ride as it's being erected. Diamondback is slated to debut when Kings Island opens for the 2009 season next April.